When Elena checked Violet’s pulse, the smile faded into professional concentration.

She spoke to Samir in a low voice, using words the girls did not need to understand.

Paul asked whether they wanted to see the oral syringe.

Elena nodded, but reminded him that the object could not identify the substance by appearance alone.

The hospital would have to evaluate Violet clinically and determine what testing was appropriate.

Through the front window Richard watched the team settle Violet onto the stretcher.